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SILENCE. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, under Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, has not issued a statement on China's bombers in the South China Sea as of May 20, 2018. File photo by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Despite a barrage of questions from reporters, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stayed silent on Sunday, May 20, about the unprecedented landing of Chinese bombers on an island in the South China Sea.

On the DFA's Viber group, reporters' requests for comment on the issue remain unanswered as of 2 pm on Sunday.

The DFA, however, has issued press releases on other issues – one at around 1:20 pm on Saturday, May 19, about the Texas school shooting, and another at around 9:20 am on Sunday about a meeting in Hawaii between Philippine officials and retiring US Pacific Command chief Admiral Harry Harris Jr.

While the DFA remains silent on the issue, opposition senators on Sunday slammed China over these Chinese bombers, which landed on the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has no claim over the Paracels, which China seized from Vietnam in 1974. But "nearly all of the Philippines falls within the radius of the bombers," said the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

In a statement on Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he was alarmed at the reported Chinese bombers.

He also cited China's reported deployment of missiles on parts of the Spratly Islands, which the Philippines claims.

"We must condemn this creeping invasion of our territory and sovereignty," Drilon said.

He said that the Philippines should assert its rights "not by waging a war against China," which the country cannot afford, but to wage a campaign for these islands "in other fora."

Drilon also challenged the incoming Senate leadership to "assert the Senate's role in foreign relations."

'This is unacceptable'

Like Drilon, Senator Risa Hontiveros criticized the reporting landing of Chinese bombers in the Paracels.

"By placing our country within striking distance of its nuclear-capable bombers, China has virtually threatened us with nuclear war over the West Philippine Sea," Hontiveros said.

"This is unacceptable. This is a serious threat to the lives of our citizens, an assault on our Constitution and a direct violation of internationally recognized treaties to which we are a signatory," she added.

She then urged "a review of our bilateral relationship with China." She did not give specifics of this proposed review.

She also said the Philippines should sponsor a United Nations resolution "condemning China's threat of nuclear war against the Philippines."

"We can't call a country that robs us of our islands and threatens us with nuclear war a friend," Hontiveros said.

"I challenge President Duterte and his foreign affairs officials to end their subservience to China and muster the necessary political courage to stand up to protect our national sovereignty and the lives of our citizens," she added.

The Duterte administration, after all, prefers to raise its concerns with China through one-on-one talks, in hopes that better ties with Beijing will translate to economic benefits. (READ: Duterte's China itch) – Rappler.com

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).